When my friend Abigail mentioned that her father-in-law, real estate broker William Etling, wrote a book about the Valley, I quickly downloaded a copy for my own research. Published in 2005, Sideways in Neverland is a collection from over 300 bi-weekly columns Etling wrote for the Santa Barbara News Press.

Loosely grouped by topic, his columns cover everything from the best surf spots, to the history of the Mission, to jaunts at Neverland Ranch, and his adventures serving as an extra for three days on the set of the movie Sideways. As I immersed myself in these brief vignettes, I discovered Mr. Etling’s deep love for the Valley, its people, and topography, which shines through in his beautifully written prose.  He also has an irreverent fondness for some of the characters that make up our community and details their adventures and misadventures alike with flair.

In our conversation, we discuss Mr. Etling’s childhood as a transplant from North Carolina, his experience writing columns for the Santa Barbara News Press, his adventures in Neverland and Sideways, his business as a real estate agent with Los Olivos Real Estate Co., and his love for the Santa Ynez Valley and its endless natural beauty.

Mr. Etling’s book, Sideways in Neverland, may be downloaded or purchased here or here.

Solvang Children’s Shop, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in business, is featured in Small Business Spotlight.